Gun powder agitator device

ABSTRACT

A gun powder agitator device includes an elongated shaft having a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft; means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft; a grip coupled to the top end, wherein the grip is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis; and a cap disposed between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the cap is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure. The means for agitating gun powder may include a paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft, a helically-shaped auger disposed about the elongates shaft, or a wire disposed about the elongated shaft.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/245,330, filed Oct. 23, 2015, titled “GUN POWDER TRANSFER AND AGITATOR DEVICES;” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the reloading of ammunition cartridges with gun powder, and more particularly to a gun powder agitator device for effectively preventing clumping of gun powder within powder measures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reloading fired ammunition casings is an increasingly popular hobby of avid shooters. Shooters can often save a significant amount of money associated with the cost of ammunition by reloading their own ammunition. In addition, reloading allows a shooter to test different loads and bullet weights that can be tailored to the gun of the shooter's choice, thus resulting in more accurate shooting. Those of skill in the art understand that atmospheric pressure and moisture can negatively affect the reloading process. When gun powder is inserted into commercially available powder measures for subsequent reloading of ammunition, atmospheric pressure and moisture can result in densely packed and/or clumped gun powder within the powder measure, which can negatively affect the user's ability to determine the appropriate powder charge to be reloaded into the selected ammunition. Densely packed and/or clumped gun powder within the powder measure can also result in difficulty associated with the release of the gun powder from the powder measure and into the ammunition casing to be reloaded. If an insufficient amount of powder is utilized in the reloading process, a squib (i.e., a bullet that becomes stuck in the barrel of the gun) may result which can be extremely dangerous for shooters. Over-loading ammunition with gun powder can also result in hazardous conditions for the shooter. Thus, there is a need in the art for devices that facilitate the process of appropriately and accurately reloading ammunition.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing problems, in whole or in part, and/or other problems that may have been observed by persons skilled in the art, the present disclosure provides methods, apparatus, instruments, and/or devices, as described by way of example in implementations set forth below.

According to one implementation, a gun powder agitator device includes an elongated shaft, a means for agitating gun powder, a grip, and a cap. The elongated shaft includes a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft. The means for agitating gun powder is disposed about the elongated shaft. The grip is coupled to the top end and is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis. The cap is disposed between the top end and the bottom end, and is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure.

According to one implementation, the means for agitating powder includes at least one paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft. The paddle member includes an aperture through which a quantity of gun powder may pass when the elongated shaft is rotated about the vertical axis.

According to one implementation, the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one wire disposed about the elongated shaft. According to one implementation, the wire is helically disposed about the elongated shaft.

According one implementation, the means for agitating gun powder includes a helically-shaped auger disposed about the elongated shaft.

According to another implementation, a method for agitating gun powder within a powder measure hopper includes transferring a quantity of gun powder to a powder measure hopper, positioning an elongated shaft of a gun powder agitator device within the powder measure hopper, coupling a cap of the gun powder agitator device to a top portion of the powder measure hopper, and altering a grip of the gun powder agitator device so as to cause the elongated shaft to rotate about a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft resulting in displacement of at least a portion of the quantity of gun powder via contact between the quantity of gun powder and the means for agitating gun powder.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to those with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device according to the present invention, showing multiple paddle members projecting outward from an elongated shaft.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the gun powder agitator device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the gun powder agitator device illustrated in FIG. 1, further showing the gun powder agitator device coupled to a powder measure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device according to the present invention, showing a helically-shaped auger disposed about an elongated shaft.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device according to the present invention, showing a wire helically disposed about an elongated shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By way of example, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various implementations of a gun powder agitator device according to the present teachings. The various implementations provide a highly effective and efficient solution for agitating (or “fluffing” or “unpacking” or “displacing”) a quantity of gun powder present within the hopper of a powder measure prior to charging an ammunition cartridge with said gun powder. Agitating densely packed and/or clumped gun powder within powder measures will facilitate the appropriate reloading of ammunition cartridges with said gun powder as it will allow for the removal of moisture within the gun powder to the ambient environment. In addition, as the gun powder is unpacked through agitation, an accurate charge of gun powder may be released from the powder measure to the ammunition cartridge to be reloaded. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the term “cartridge” may be used interchangeably with such terms as cases, casings, rounds, shells, etc. The gun powder agitator device according to the present teachings may be sized and configured for compatibility with any commercially available powder measure. For example, the gun powder agitator device may be removably coupled to a hopper of a powder measure so as to allow for the desired fluffing of the charge of gun powder within the hopper prior to releasing a charge of gun powder from the powder measure to an ammunition cartridge.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device 100 according to the present invention, showing multiple paddle members 102, 104, 106 projecting outward from an elongated shaft 108. In some implementations, the gun powder agitator device 100 may generally include the elongated shaft 108, paddle members 102, 104, 106 disposed about (and projecting outward from) the elongated shaft 108, a grip 110, and a cap 112. The elongated shaft 108 may generally include a top end 114, a bottom end 116 opposite the top end 114, and a vertical axis A-A generally extending through a length of the elongated shaft 108. The grip 110 may generally be configured for coupling to the top end 114, and may further generally be configured for causing the elongated shaft 108 to rotate about the vertical axis A-A. In some implementations, the grip 110 may be operatively associated with a crank arm 118 to facilitate rotation of the elongated shaft about the vertical axis A-A. Any suitable grip may be utilized to allow a user to manually alter the grip 110 so as to cause the elongated shaft 108 to rotate about the vertical axis A-A. In some implementations, the grip 110 may be threadably secured to the crank arm 118 via a screw 120 or other suitable fastening means knows to those of skill in the art. In some implementations, the crank arm 118 may be threadably secured to the top end 114 and a spacer washer 122 may be utilized as an interface between the cap 112 and the crank arm 118. In some implementations, a bushing 124 may be utilized to serve as a guide for the top end 114 and/or to resist abrasion at the top end 114 as the elongated shaft 108 is rotated about the vertical axis A-A.

In some implementations, the cross-sectional shape of the elongated shaft 108 may transition from the bottom end 116 to the top end 114 from a square- or rectangular-shaped cross section to a circular cross section, respectively, to allow for coupling of the top end 114 to the crank arm 118. In some implementations, the elongated shaft 108 may have a single cross-sectional shape throughout the length of the elongated shaft 108. In some implementations, agitating arms 132, 134 may project outward from the elongated shaft 108 at the bottom end 116, so as to allow for further agitation of gun powder present at the bottom end 116 when a portion of the elongated shaft 108 is positioned within a powder measure hopper.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the paddle members 102, 104, 106 may generally extend outward (i.e., away) from the elongated shaft 108. The paddle members 102, 104, 106 may include respective apertures 126, 128, 130 through which a quantity of gun powder may pass when a portion of the elongated shaft 108 is positioned within a powder measure hopper (see FIG. 3) and the elongated shaft 108 is rotated about the vertical axis A-A. Although the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1 shows three paddle members 102, 104, 106, various implementations are possible in light of the present teachings. For example, some implementations may include a single paddle member, while others may include a plurality of paddle members. The paddle members 102, 104, 106 (and the respective apertures 126, 128, 130) in FIG. 1 are rectangular in shape. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the paddle members 102, 104, 106 (and their respective apertures 126, 128, 130) may be formed in any suitable shape, such as circles, squares, etc. In some implementations, the paddle members 102, 104, 106 may not include apertures 126, 128, 130.

The cap 112 may generally be configured for positioning between the top end 114 and the bottom end 116 when the gun powder agitator device 100 is assembled, and may further be configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure hopper (see FIG. 3). The cap 112 may include an aperture 136 to allow for pressure equalization between the inside of a powder measure hopper and the ambient environment when the cap 112 is coupled to a powder measure hopper. The aperture 136 may also be used to facilitate the transfer of gun powder into the powder measure hopper when, for example, an additional quantity of gun powder is needed to reload an ammunition cartridge. The top end 114 may be extended through a receiving aperture 138 in the cap 112 for securing the crank arm 118 to the elongated shaft 108 (and thus coupling the grip 110 to the elongated shaft 108). In implementations in which a crank arm is not present, the grip 110 may be configured for direct coupling to the top end 114.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the gun powder agitator device 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective assembled view of the gun powder agitator device 100, further showing the gun powder agitator device 100 coupled to a powder measure 300. A portion of the elongated shaft 108 may be inserted into a powder measure hopper 302 and the cap 112 may be secured to a top portion 306 of the hopper 302. When the hopper 302 includes a quantity of gun powder 304, the grip 110 may be manually (e.g., by a user's hand) rotated, thus causing the elongated shaft 108 to rotate about the vertical axis (see FIG. 1). As the elongated shaft 108 rotates, the paddle members 102, 104, 106 pass through the gun powder 304 and cause agitation or fluffing of the gun powder 304. Fluffing of the gun powder 304 mitigates packing and clumping of the gun powder 304, which may facilitate the subsequent reloading of ammunition. In addition, the aperture 136 in the cap 112 allows for moisture within the hopper 302 to evacuate the hopper 302 and further allows for pressure equalization between the interior of the hopper 302 and the ambient environment. In some implementations, the cap 112 may be configured for snap-fitting to the top portion 306 of the hopper 302. In some implementations, the cap 112 may be configured for coupling to the top portion 306 by manually (e.g., frictionally or threadably) fitting the cap 112 about the top portion 306. Any suitable coupling means may be utilized.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device 400 according to the present invention, showing a generally helically-shaped auger 440 disposed about an elongated shaft 408. The gun powder agitator device 400 includes the elongated shaft 408, the helically-shaped auger 400 disposed about the elongated shaft 408, a grip 410, and a cap 412. The elongated shaft 408 includes a top end 414, a bottom end 416 opposite the top end 414, and a vertical axis B-B generally extending through a length of the elongated shaft 408. The grip 410 may be configured for coupling to the top end 414, and may further be configured for causing the elongated shaft 408 to rotate about the vertical axis B-B. The grip 410 may be operatively associated with a crank arm 418. The grip 410 may be configured to allow a user to manually alter the grip 410 so as to cause the elongated shaft 408 to rotate about the vertical axis B-B. The grip 410 may be threadably secured to the crank arm 418 via a screw 420 or other suitable fastening means knows to those of skill in the art. In some implementations, the crank arm 418 may be threadably secured to the top end 414 and a spacer washer 422 may be utilized as an interface between the cap 412 and the crank arm 418. In some implementations, a bushing 424 may be utilized to serve as a guide for the top end 414 and/or to resist abrasion at the top end 414 as the elongated shaft 408 is rotated about the vertical axis B-B.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the elongated shaft 408 may transition from a relatively larger cross-sectional area at the bottom end 416 to a relatively smaller cross-sectional area at the top end 414. In some implementations, the elongated shaft 408 may have a uniform cross-sectional area throughout the length of the elongated shaft 408.

The helically-shaped auger 440 may be positioned within a powder measure hopper (see FIG. 3) containing a quantity of gun powder. When the elongated shaft 408 is rotated about the vertical axis B-B, the helically-shaped auger 440 displaces (e.g., agitates or unpacks) the quantity of gun powder present within the powder measure hopper to facilitate subsequent reloading of ammunition cartridges.

The cap 412 may generally be configured for positioning between the top end 414 and the bottom end 416, and may further be configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure hopper (see FIG. 3). The cap 412 may include an aperture 436 to allow for pressure equalization between the inside of a powder measure hopper and the ambient environment when the cap 412 is coupled to a powder measure hopper. The aperture 436 may also be used to facilitate the transfer of gun powder into the powder measure hopper when, for example, an additional quantity of gun powder is needed to reload an ammunition cartridge. The top end 414 may be extended through a receiving aperture 438 in the cap 412 for securing the crank arm 418 to the elongated shaft 408. In implementations in which a crank arm is not present, the grip 410 may be configured for direct coupling to the top end 414.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an implementation of a gun powder agitator device 500 according to the present invention, showing a wire 542 generally helically disposed about an elongated shaft 508. In some implementations, the gun powder agitator device 500 may include the elongated shaft 508, one or more wires 542 disposed about the elongated shaft 508, a grip 510, and a cap 512. The elongated shaft 508 may include a top end 514 and a bottom end 516 opposite the top end 514. The grip 510 may be configured for coupling to the top end 514 and may be configured for rotating the elongated shaft 508 about a vertical axis C-C. The grip 510 may be operatively associated with a crank arm 518. The grip 510 may be configured to allow a user to manually alter the grip 510 so as to cause the elongated shaft 508 to rotate about the vertical axis C-C. In some implementations, the grip 510 may be threadably secured to the crank arm 518 via a screw 520 or other suitable fastening means knows to those of skill in the art. In some implementations, the crank arm 518 may be threadably secured to the top end 514 and a spacer washer 522 may be utilized as an interface between the cap 512 and the crank arm 518. In some implementations, a bushing 524 may be utilized to serve as a guide for the top end 514 and/or to resist abrasion at the top end 514 as the elongated shaft 508 is rotated about the vertical axis C-C.

The cap 512 may generally be disposed between the top end 514 and the bottom end 516, and may be configured for securing to a top portion of a commercially available powder measure (See FIG. 3). In some implementations, the cap 512 may be configured for snap-fitting to the top portion of the powder measure. In some implementations, the cap 512 may be configured for coupling to the top portion of the powder measure by manually fitting a rim of the cap 512 about the top portion of the powder measure. Any suitable coupling means may be utilized. In some implementations, the cap 512 may include an aperture 536 to allow for pressure equalization between the inside of the powder measure hopper and the ambient environment. The aperture 536 in the cap 512 may also be used to facilitate the transfer of gun powder into the powder measure when, for example, an inaccurate amount of powder is present within the powder measure. The top end 514 may be extended through a receiving aperture 538 in the cap 512 for securing the crank arm 518 to the elongated shaft 508. In implementations in which a crank arm is not present, the grip 510 may be configured for direct coupling (for example. through friction-fitting or threaded coupling) to the top end 514.

At least a portion of the elongated shaft 508 may be inserted into the powder measure hopper and the cap 512 may be coupled to the top portion of the hopper. When the hopper includes a quantity of gun powder, the grip 510 may be manually (e.g., by a user's hand) rotated, thus causing the elongated shaft 508 to rotate about the vertical axis C-C. As the elongated shaft 508 rotates about the vertical axis C-C, the wire(s) 542 may pass through the gun powder and cause agitation or fluffing of the gun powder via contact between the wire(s) 542 and the gun powder present within the powder measure hopper.

The wire(s) 542 may be constructed from any suitable metal, metal alloy, or plastic. In some implementations, the wire 542 may comprise a unitary piece, a first end 544 of the wire 542 may be secured to a platform 548 disposed about the elongated shaft 508 between the bottom end 516 and the top end 514, and a second end 546 of the wire 542 may be secured to the elongated shaft 508 at or near the bottom end 516. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the platform 548 may be disc-shaped. In some implementations, the platform 548 may include a bar that traverses the elongated shaft 508 and allows for the first end 544 to be secured to the bar. In some implementations, the first end 544 of the wire 542 may be secured directly to the elongated shaft 508 at or near the top end 514. The wire(s) 542 may generally be disposed about the elongated shaft 508 in any suitable manner so as to allow for appropriate displacement and fluffing of gun powder in the powder measure hopper. In some implementations, the wire(s) 542 may be helically disposed about the elongated shaft 508. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the wire(s) may comprise any suitable cross-sectional shape; e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, etc. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, as the wire 542 helically traverses the elongated shaft 508 between the top end 514 and the bottom end 516, the maximum radial distance to which the wire 542 may extend from the elongated shaft 508 may decrease so as to accommodate the internal parameters of commercially available powder measure hoppers and to provide for more suitable fluffing of gun powder within such hoppers.

In general, terms such as “coupled to,” and “configured for coupling to,” and “secured to,” and “configured for securing to,” and “configured for receiving,” and “in communication with” (for example, a first component is “coupled to” or “is configured for coupling to” or is “configured for securing to” or is “configured for receiving” or is “in communication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to be, for example, in communication with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components.

The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gun powder agitator device, comprising: an elongated shaft including a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft; means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft; a grip coupled to the top end, wherein the grip is configured for causing the elongated shaft to rotate about the vertical axis; and a cap disposed between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the cap is configured for coupling to a top portion of a powder measure hopper.
 2. The gun powder agitator device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft.
 3. The gun powder agitator device of claim 2, wherein the paddle member includes an aperture through which a quantity of gun powder may pass when the elongated shaft is rotated about the vertical axis.
 4. The gun powder agitator device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one wire.
 5. The gun powder agitator device of claim 4, wherein the wire is helically disposed about the elongated shaft.
 6. The gun powder agitator device of claim 5, wherein a radial distance to which the wire extends from the elongated shaft decreases from the top end to the bottom end.
 7. The gun powder agitator device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes a helically-shaped auger.
 8. The gun powder agitator device of claim 1, wherein the grip is operatively associated with a crank arm.
 9. A method for agitating gun powder within a powder measure hopper, comprising: transferring a quantity of gun powder to a powder measure hopper; positioning at least a portion of an elongated shaft of a gun powder agitator device within the powder measure hopper, the gun powder agitator device comprising the elongated shaft, means for agitating gun powder, said means being disposed about the elongated shaft, a grip coupled to a top end of the elongated shaft, and a cap disposed between the top end and a bottom end of the elongated shaft; coupling the cap to a top portion of the powder measure hopper; and altering the grip so as to cause the elongated shaft to rotate about a vertical axis extending through a length of the elongated shaft resulting in displacement of at least a portion of the quantity of gun powder via contact between the quantity of gun powder and the means for agitating gun powder.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one paddle member projecting outward from the elongated shaft which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes at least one wire which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the means for agitating gun powder includes a helically-shaped auger which passes through the quantity of gun powder as the elongated shaft rotates about the vertical axis. 